Wedding Weekend

Last weekend I attended my first Indian wedding, and I'm going to talk about it. I've been friends with Anjali since second grade, and she is one of the sweetest, kindest people that I know. Not only was I was excited to attend her wedding last weekend, but our friends from Katie and Kristen also came all the way from Mississippi to be there, too.

showing off our henna

Anjali and Gaurav held a traditional Indian wedding including a mehndi celebration and the baraat, followed by the marriage ceremony. A couple of Anjali's cousins adopted us, as we were the few non-Indians in attendance and explained much of the symbolism behind the mehndi and other rituals. The decor and clothing were all stunningly beautiful; pictures really don't do the colors or the dancing or the singing (obviously) any justice.

Anjali and Gaurav at the mehndi celebration

dancing at the mehndi celebration

baraat

Anjali and Gaurav Khullar

showing off our henna on day two

Kristen, me, Anjali, and Katie

The wedding festivities ended on Saturday night, so Katie and Kristen and I spent all day Sunday sightseeing in DC. Living here means that I often take for granted the memorials and museums, so it was a great day to visit the National Mall for some walkin'. After delicious brunch at Bayou, we visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, waved to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and finished up with a visit to the Natural History Museum. It was a sunny day with a bluebird sky and was a fitting reminder about those who have served our country, just in time for Veteran's day this Monday.

Vietnam War Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool

Korean War Memorial

Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool

World War II Memorial

Washington Monument

Natural History Museum

Henry at the Natural History Museum

The Hope Diamond at the Natural History Museum

Washington Monument at sunset